Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

Case Study 1: Corporations Weaving Philanthropy into Incentive Awards TripsRecently a large global IT software management company decided to partner withGoPhilanthropic in order to incorporate philanthropy into its incentive awards trips offered to itstop producing employees. The trips are a way to congratulate those who have producedexceptional results for the company andare set in magnificent locations around theworld. This year the Senior Management ofthis globally-conscious company decidedthat in giving back to its employees, itshould also give back to the communitiesthat host their incentive events.In February 2010 the company’s topregional sales representatives convened inSiem Reap, Cambodia for a 3 day tour ofthe Temples of Angkor Wat. During theirstay, GoPhilanthropic facilitated a $10,000donation to its partner, local grassrootsorganization Journeys within OurCommunity (JWOC). JWOC works toprovide safe drinking water and free schoolprograms for the villages surrounding the famous temples.Visit to Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC),Siem Reap, Cambodia. Credit: GoPhilanthropic.The IT Company’s efforts did not simply involve writing a check to this inspirational organization.They wanted to engage “real-time” in order to better understand the challenges facing theregion and to see firsthand how their donation would be used for solutions. GoPhilanthropicarranged activities that brought together employees of the company and village communitymembers including a dance presentation by program members, an in-depth overview ofJWOC’s work, an onsite visit to a village where the clean water program is operational, andparticipation in a school class. After seeing firsthand the impact of JWOC’s programs, the donorcompany decided to do more. Employees are being given the opportunity to make donations tosupport the long-term sustainability of JWOC.In 2010, Go Philanthropic facilitated $30,000 in additional donations through this corporation inMexico, St. Marteen, and Borneo.Case Study 2: Group Journey to India: Gandhi Legacy and Philanthropy TourGoPhilanthropic partnered with several humanitarians who host clients and offer a truly indepthexperience into a region of India’s culture, history and development needs.A small group of seven travelers journeyed to India for a rare opportunity to understandGandhian Legacy and Philosophy firsthand. They were guided in part by M.K Gandhi’sgrandsons, Dr. Arun and Tushar Gandhi. The group toured significant Gandhian sites in Delhiand Mumbai and visited social and development projects focused on women’s empowermentand business development, and educational programs that assist marginalized children in slumareas. The group then traveled south to Kolhapur to meet with an organization working oneradicating child labor.87